Combination tool

ABSTRACT

A combination tool which performs punching, cutting, bending, and twisting of preferably flat stock material. An eccentric arm and cam means are employed as the drive mechanism for several of the operations.

E1110 Yoskowitz tates atet [ 51 Sept. 26, 1972 COMBINATION TOOL [72] Inventor: Jacob Yoskowitz, ll Raynor Road,

West Orange, NJ. 01052 [22] Filed: March 12, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 18,825

[52] US. Cl ..72/70, 72/332, 7/l4.1 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B2lb B2ld 28/00 [58] Field of Search ..72/332, 324, 464, 327, 70,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 128,758 7/1872 Sevey ..72/333 2,800,960 7/1957 Cutter ..72/332 1,106,741 8/1914 Slick ..72/33l 658,077 9/1900 Thomas ..72/333 3,087,242 4/1963 Bohn ..29/564 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Whitney Metal Tool Co., brochure 8 8671.5 BL.

Primary ExaminerCharles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-R. M. Rogers Attorney-Lerner, David & Littenberg [5 7] ABSTRACT A combination tool which performs punching, cutting, bending, and twisting of preferably flat stock material. An eccentric arm and cam means are employed as the drive mechanism for several of the operations.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEI'Jsms I972 SHEET 1 0F 4 INVEXTOR. JACOB YOSKOWITZ LERNER, DAVID a LITTENBERG ATTORNEYS PATENTED I972 3.693. 388

sum 2 or 4 INVENTOR.

JACOB YOSKOWITZ LERNER, DAVID a LITTENBERG ATTORNEYS PATENTEU'SEP as 1912 SHEET 3 OF 4 I NVENTOR.

JACOB YOSKOWITZ LERNER, DAVID 8 L ITTENBERG ATTORNEYS PATENTEDsEP2s m2 SHUZT l 0F 4 v INVENTOR. JACOB YOSKOWITZ LERNER, DAVID a LITTIENBERGI ATTORNEYS COMBINATION TOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a combination tool and, more particularly, to a combination tool which is versatile, easy to use, and relatively simple and economical to manufacture.

Combination tools made for the consumer or craftsman tend to be cumbersome and difficult to operate. Further, their drive mechanism is often faulty, and consequently these tools suffer from a lack of reliability. For example, prior art tools art tools of the class described generally utilize a gear tooth driving arrangement for generating the necessary operating forces. Often, however, the matching teeth of these drive arrangements become separated and are difficult, if not impossible to realign.

As another example, it is noted that several prior combination tools include a punching function; but, in operation, are often unsatisfactory. Primarily the problems arise from a spring return mechanism employed for the punch. Frequently, and especially after repeated usage, the return spring is weakened to the point where it can no longer pull the punch out of the punched material.

Finally, prior art combination tools of the class described have included a twisting function, but require that the operator himself perform the twisting operation and provide no mechanical advantage there fore. Additionally, they require the use of another tool to complete the twisting function.

An object of thepresent invention is to provide an improved combination tool requiring no other tools in its function.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reliable and sturdy combination tool. I

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a combination tool including an improved punch operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved drive mechanism for a combination tool.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a combination tool including an improved twisting operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combination tool which accurately accomplishes a cutting function.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination tool which is relatively easy to operate.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the above objects are accomplished by providing a combination tool capable of at least cutting and punching; comprising a lower handle and an upper handle, a rocker arm pivotally connected to the lower handle at one end thereof and provided with internal bearing surface means at its opposite end thereof, driving cam means located within the internal bearing surface means of the rocker arm, first drive means connected between the upper handle and the driving cam means to lift the said opposite end of the rocker arm when the upper handle is rotated relative to the lower handle, a

punch, second drive means connecting the punch to the rocker arm whereby the punch will be raised and lowered in response to the rotation of the upper handle, an upper shear plate and a lower shear plate attached to the lower handle thereof and drive means connected between the rocker arm and one of the shear plates to effect relative motion between the shear plates in response to the rotation of the upper arm. This combination tool, with its eccentric cam movement and drive mechanism responsive thereto provides a relatively simple, yet very reliable operating mechanism.

As another feature of the present invention invention, guide plate is attached at the lower handle of the tool adjacent the shear plates and accurate cutting mechanism.

As still another feature of the present invention the punch is directly moved up when the upper handle is raised which thereby provides a positive return for the punch and eliminates the prior discussed problems associated with a spring return punch.

In addition to the cutting and punching operations briefly described above, the present combination tool is capable of bending and twisting a length of flat material. For the bending function, a V-groove block is situated on the lower handle and in alignment with the upper handle thereabove. When a length of flat material is placed across the V-block and the upper handle is lowered, the material will be bent to To perform the twisting function, a cylindrical housing is secured to the lower handle and receives a smaller slotted rotatable cylindrical holder. The cylindrical holder includes an outstanding lever arm which projects through an elongated slot provided in the cylindrical housing. The flat stock is placed through. the slotted cylindrical holder until one end thereof is received and held fixed in a fixed-slot housing provided on the lower handle. When the upper handle is rotated, it engages the lever arm and thereby twists the flat stock inserted therethrough. The mechanicaladvantage provided by this arrangement is a vast improvement over the brute strengt twisting arrangement of the twisting prior art.

FIGURES DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to Figures, wherein like numerals have been used to designate like elements, the tool comprises a lower handle 10 and a upper handle 12. When used, preferably the lower handle 10 is rested on a surface while the upper handle 12 is rotated with respect to the lower handle. To provide a stand, the lower handle is secured in a generally U-shaped notch 14 of a base member 16. A pair of through holes 18 are provided in outstanding arms of base member 16 to rigidly attach the tool to a surface when desired.

A rocker arm 20 is pivotally secured at one end thereof to the lower handle by means of a bolt 22 which passes through shear plates 23 and 25 (to be described in greater detail); through a bifurcated embossment 26, on the lower handle and through an aperture 28 provided in the rear end of the rocker arm 20.

As best seen inFIG. 2, the opposite end of rocker arm includes a pair of integrally upstanding rings 34 between which is disposed an arcuate slot 36, through which a head portion 38 of the upper handle 12 may be inserted. The inside upper portions of the rings 34 define internal bearing surfaces 35 which cooperate with driving cams 56, 58 to be described in greater detail.

The head portion 38 includes an enlarged aperture 44 by which the head (and thereby the upper handle) may be freely rotated about an axle pin 41 to be described in greater detail. The head 38 also includes a pair of smaller apertures 40, 42 through which a pair of driving pins 46 and 48 pass such that portions of the pins extend on opposite sides of the head. As will be described, the driving pins 46, 48, together with the driving cams 56, 58 are utilized to provide the drive for several of the operations included in the multiple tool of the present invention.

Positioned within the ring 34, on opposite sides of the head 38, are the aforementioned pair of driving cams 56, 58 which are freely and eccentrically mounted by virtue of enlarged apertures 64 and 70 respectively, on the axle pin 41. The driving cams further include pairs of apertures 60, 62 and 66, 68 respectively which receive the opposite ends of the driving pins 46, 48.

To facilitate relative rotation between the driving cams 56, 58 and the bearing surfaces 35 of the respective rings 34; a plurality of cylindrical roller bearings 72, 74 are disposed about the driving cams. The bearings 72 are retained in the plane of driving cam 56 by a bearing retainer ring 52 disposed on one side of cam 56, and the inner face 75 of a side link 76 disposed on the opposite side of cam 56. Similarly, the bearings 74 are maintained in the plane of driving cam 58 by a bearing retaining ring 54 disposed on one side of cam 58, and the inner face 77 of the upper shear plate 23. A second side link 78 is provided on the far side of the tool.

The side links 76, 78 are provided at one end thereof with apertures 82 and 86 respectively by which the links may be secured to the front or head portion 11 of lower handle 10 by means of an elongated pin 90 which passes through aperture 82, in link 76, a through passageway 92 in head portion 11, and elongated notch 114 in upper shear plate 23, an aperture 115 (FIG. 2) in lower shear plate 25, and aperture 86 in side line 78. The pin 90 terminates in threaded portions at opposite ends thereof which receive nuts 96 and 98 respectively.

The opposite ends of side links 76, 78 include apertures 80 and 84 respectively in which the axle pin 41 is supported. Like the pin 90, axle pin 41 terminates at opposite ends thereof in threaded portions which receive nuts 88.

In operation, and assuming that the upper handle 12 is in the down position illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper handle is pivotally rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 1) about axle pin 41. As

the head portion 38 of the handle 12 rotates, the driving pins 46, 48 transmit the motion to driving cams 56,58 which thereby rotate about their eccentrically located axis defined also by axle pin 41. As driving cams 56, 58 rotate counter-clockwise about their eccentric axis, they cause their respective roller bearings 72 and 74 to be urged against internal bearing surfaces 35 of rings 34 to thereby lift rocker arm 20. Actually, because rocker arm 20 is pivotally connected to lower handle 10 by means of bolt 22, rocker arm 20 will rotate slightly in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 1). The thus described up and down arcuate motion of the rocker arm 20 provides the basic movement for most of the functions accomplished with the tool of the present invention.

As described briefly above, the combined tool of the present invention provides four separate and distinct operations. The tool is capable of punching, cutting, providing a bend, and twisting metal or other materials.

Turning to the punching operations and with reference to FIG. 2, a longitudinal channel 100 is provided in an integral bottom portion 101 depending from the rocker arm 20. A punch pin 102 is preferably integrally formed with a slide 104 which resides in channel 100. The pin 102 is guided for vertical movement by a guide hole 106 in the head portion 11 of the lower handle 10. The bottom portion 107 of the head 11 of the lower handle hasa threaded aperture 108 in which punching plugs such as 109 in FIG. 4 may be positioned. Plugs with different diametered receiving passageways (such as 111 in FIG. 4) may be interchangeabley screwed into threaded aperture 108 depend-on the size of the hole desired in the punching operation.

In operation, as the rocker arm 20 travels upwardly in its arcuate path of travel in response to the lifting of the upper handle 12, the punch pin 102 will be lifted in the guide hole 106. It will be appreciated that the channel slide arrangement 100, 104 permits the pin 102 to experience purely vertical movement while the rocker arm 20 experiences arcuate movement. To punch, the material is inserted the mouth 110 and the upper handle 12 rotated downwardly in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. The downward, counter-clockwise motion of rocker arm 20 caused thereby will cause the pin 102 to make the desired punch in the material.

The lifting and lowering of the rocker arm 20 is also used to accomplish the cutting operation as follows.

As noted previously, the lower shear plate 25 is fixed on the lower handle by bolt 22 and pin having nuts 96 and 98 screwed onto opposite ends thereof (see FIG. 5). Upper shear plate 23 is pivotally mounted on lower handle 10 by bolt 22 and is guided in its pivotal motion by slot 114 thereof riding up and down on pin 90.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the forward portion of rocker arm 20 is integrally provided with a forwardly projecting boss having a passageway 122 within which one end 124 of a driving pin 126 is positioned. The opposite end 128 is received in an aperture 130 provided in upper shear plate 23.

In operation, when the upper handle 12 is raised to lift the rocker arm 20, the upper shear plate 23 will rotate about bolt 22 to open the shearing edges 132, 134 with respect to one another. Of course, when the upper handle 12 is lower, the reverse action takes place to cause the edges 132, 134 to perform the desired scissor-like cutting action. In a preferred embodiment, hardened steel inserts 133 and 135 are secured on appropriate shaped shoulders of the plates 23 and 25. In this manner, the cutting edges can be easily replaced and the remainder of the shear plates need not be hardened material.

A guide plate 136 is attached to the fixed lower shear plate 23 by means of a first aperture 138 through which passes the aforementioned pin 90 and a second aperture 140 through which a screw 142 may pass into threaded engagement with shear plate 25. The function of the guide plate 136 is to cooperate with the edge 132 of lower shear plate 23 to maintain the bar stock in a relatively fixed position (and prevent a clockwise flip over of the material, as viewed in FIG. 2) during the cutting.

In order to obtain the 90 bend in a length of flat metal, a V-block 144 is secured on the rocker arm 20 with the center line of the V being in alignment with the upper handle 12. In operation, a length of flat material is placed across the V-groove after the upper handle 12 has been raised. When the upper handle is lowered, it urges the material into the V -groove producing the desired 90 bend. Any angle could be provided by selecting a different shape for the block 114.

As an additional feature of the tool, a twist may be made in a length of flat material. To this end,,a cylindrical housing-146 is attached to one leg 148 of the base support 16. The housing 146 has an elongated arcuate slot 150 therein with access being provided thereto by a slot 152 provided in a outwardly facing ring portion 154. An accessory for the twisting function comprises a cylindrical holder 156 provided with an open ended slot 158 in the approximate center thereof, and an outwardly extending lever arm 160. A drive plate 162 is attached to the upper handle 12 depending downward therefrom and isprovided with a notch 164 in its bottom surface.

In use, the holder'l56 is inserted in the cylindrical housing 146 (access for the lever arm 160 to reach the elongated slot 150 being provided by slot or opening 152). The holder is then rotated clockwise in FIG. 5 by the lever arm 160 (now riding in arcuate slot 150) until open ended slot 158 thereof is parallel to a slot 166 defined atthe top of the other leg 168 by a plate 170. Next the flat stock is inserted through slots 158 and 166. When the upper handle 12 is lowered, notch 164 of driving plate 162 will engage lever arm 160 of holder 156. Continued lowering of upper handle 12 will twist the flat stock. To remove the bar stock from the tool, the reverse procedure is followed.

Although this invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it is preferred, therefore, that the scope of the invention be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, only by the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A combination tool comprising:

a lower handle;

an upper handle;

a rocker arm pivotally connected to the lower handle at one end thereof and provided with internal bearing surface means at its opposite end thereof;

driving cam means located withinthe internal bearing surface means of said rocker arm;

first drive means connected between the upper handle and said driving cam means for rotating said driving cam means and thereby lifting the said opposite end of said rocker arm when said upper handle is rotated with respect to said lower handle;

a punch;

second drive means connecting said punch to said rocker arm for raising and lowering said punch in response to rotation of said upper handle;

an upper shear plate and a lower shear plate attached to said lower handle; and

third drive means connecting said rocker arm and one of said shear plates for effecting relative motion between the shear plates in response to rotation of said upper handle wherein said one of said shear plates is pivotally connected to said lower handle, and said third drive means includes a shear driving pin connected between said rocker arm and said one of said shear plates for effecting rotation of said one of said in response to lifting and lowering of said rocker arm.

2. The combination tool of claim 1 and further including guide plate means attached to said lower handle and cooperating with the other of said shear plate for holding material to be cut fixed while said shear plates experience relative motion with respect to one another.

3. The combination tool of claim 1 and further including a bending block attachedto said lower handle said block having a groove vertically aligned with the said upper handle; whereby when said upper handle is lowered, it presses material into said groove forming an angled bend.

4. A combination tool comprising:

a lower handle;

an upper handle;

a rocker arm pivotally connected to the lower handle at one end thereof and provided with internal bearing surface means at its opposite end thereof;

driving cam means located within the internal bearing surface means of said rocker arm;

first drive means connected between the upper handle and said driving cam means for rotating said driving cam means and thereby lifting the said opposite end of said rocker arm when said upper handle is rotated with respect to said lower handle;

a punch;

second drive means connecting said punch to said rocker arm for raising and lowering said punch in response to rotation of said upper handle;

an upper shear plate and a lower shear plate attached to said lower handle;

third drive means connecting said rocker arm and one of said shear plates for effecting relative motion between the shear plates in response to rotation of said upper handle;

and further including a cylindrical housing attached to said lower handle, said housing having an arcuate slot provided therein, a slotted cylindrical holder rotatable in said cylindrical holder, a lever attached to said cylindrical holder capable of slidposite end of said rocker arm when said upper haning in said arcuate slot, holding means on said dle is rotated with respect to said lower handle; lower handle to hole bar stock material fixed, lever a punch; drive means attached to said upper handle and second drive means connecting said punch to said aligned with said lever, whereby when said upper rocker arm for raising and lowering said punch in handle is lowered, it rotates said cylindrical holder response to rotation of said upper handle; providing a twist in bar stock material whi h has an upper shear plate and a lower shear plate attached been inserted through said slotted cylindrical t0 Said lower handle; holder and held fixed by said holding means: third drive means connecting said rocker arm and 5. The combination tool of claim 1 wherein said 10 one of Said Shear Plates for effecting relative shear plates include a pair of cooperating hardened between the Shear Plates in response to shearing inserts for performing a cutting action when r of said pp handle; said shear plates are rotated relative to one another. and further including a cylindrical housing attached to said lower handle; an apertured cylindrical holder rotatable in said cylindrical housing, a lever attached to said cylindrical holder, and holding means on said lower handle to hold bar stock material fixed;

whereby when said lever is rotated it rotates said cylindrical holder providing a twist in bar stock material which has been inserted through said apertured cylindrical holder and held fixed by said holding means. 

1. A combination tool comprising: a lower handle; an upper handle; a rocker arm pivotally connected to the lower handle at one end thereof and provided with internal bearing surface means at its opposite end thereof; driving cam means located within the internal bearing surface means of said rocker arm; first drive means connected between the upper handle and said driving cam means for rotating said driving cam means and thereby lifting the said opposite end of said rocker arm when said upper handle is rotated with respect to said lower handle; a punch; second drive means connecting said punch to said rocker arm for raising and lowering said punch in response to rotation of said upper handle; an upper shear plate and a lower shear plate attached to said lower handle; and third drive means connecting said rocker arm and one of said shear plates for effecting relative motion between the shear plates in response to rotation of said upper handle wherein said one of said shear plates is pivotally connected to said lower handle, and said third drive means includes a shear driving pin connected between said rocker arm and said one of said shear plates for effecting rotation of said one of said in response to lifting and lowering of said rocker arm.
 2. The combination tool of claim 1 and further including guide plate means attached to said lower handle and cooperating with the other of said shear plate for holding material to be cut fixed while said shear plates experience relative motion with respect to one another.
 3. The combination tool of claim 1 and further including a bending block attached to said lower handle said block having a groove vertically aligned with the said upper handle; whereby when said upper handle is lowered, it presses material into said groove forming an angled bend.
 4. A combination tool comprising: a lower handle; an upper handle; a rocker arm pivotally connected to the lower handle at one end thereof and provided with internal bearing surface means at its opposite end thereof; driving cam means located within the internal bearing surface means of said rocker arm; first drive means connected between the upper handle and said driving cam means for rotating said driving cam means and thereby lifting the said opposite end of said rocker arm when said upper handle is rotated with respect to said lower handle; a punch; second drive means connecting said punch to said rocker arm for raising and lowering said punch in response to rotation of said upper handle; an upper shear plate and a lower shear plate attached to said lower handle; third drive means connecting said rocker arm and one of said shear plates for effecting relative motion between the shear plates in response to rotation of said upper handle; and further including a cylindrical housing attached to said lower handle, said housing having an arcuate slot provided therein, a slotted cylindrical holder rotatable in said cylindrical holder, a lever attached to said cylindrical holder capable of sliding in said arcuate slot, holding means on sAid lower handle to hole bar stock material fixed, lever drive means attached to said upper handle and aligned with said lever, whereby when said upper handle is lowered, it rotates said cylindrical holder providing a twist in bar stock material which has been inserted through said slotted cylindrical holder and held fixed by said holding means.
 5. The combination tool of claim 1 wherein said shear plates include a pair of cooperating hardened shearing inserts for performing a cutting action when said shear plates are rotated relative to one another.
 6. A combination tool comprising: a lower handle; an upper handle; a rocker arm pivotally connected to the lower handle at one end thereof and provided with internal bearing surface means at its opposite end thereof; driving cam means located within the internal bearing surface means of said rocker arm; first drive means connected between the upper handle and said driving cam means for rotating said driving cam means and thereby lifting the said opposite end of said rocker arm when said upper handle is rotated with respect to said lower handle; a punch; second drive means connecting said punch to said rocker arm for raising and lowering said punch in response to rotation of said upper handle; an upper shear plate and a lower shear plate attached to said lower handle; third drive means connecting said rocker arm and one of said shear plates for effecting relative motion between the shear plates in response to rotation of said upper handle; and further including a cylindrical housing attached to said lower handle; an apertured cylindrical holder rotatable in said cylindrical housing, a lever attached to said cylindrical holder, and holding means on said lower handle to hold bar stock material fixed; whereby when said lever is rotated it rotates said cylindrical holder providing a twist in bar stock material which has been inserted through said apertured cylindrical holder and held fixed by said holding means. 